The officer then used another cell phone and the “Find My iPhone” app installed on Dennison’s phone. The app is designed to help find misplaced Mac devices and provide a map to the location.

Rudisill was able to quickly notify Shelby Police Department that Itson was headed in the direction of Cleveland County.

Capt. Steve Duncan with Gastonia Police Department said Shelby officer Z. Zaludek spotted the Ford Escort within minutes and pulled it over near U.S. 74.

“He was able to use that phone and track that phone without any kind of special equipment at all,” Duncan said. “I don’t know how you put a value on that, to have real-time locations on something.”

He said Rudisill is not provided a cell phone by the city, so he either used a personal phone or someone else’s.

Duncan describes Rudisill as a forward-thinking officer and says the technology ultimately kept the suspect from driving the car further.

“Had we not had that, we would’ve had our (patrol) cars circling here in Gastonia,” he said.

Many stolen cars are never found. Duncan said it often depends on the circumstance of the theft.

“Vehicles stolen by people, car thieves that intend to disassemble them and sell the parts, are usually not recovered,” he said. “If it’s more of a joyriding type issue that they’re looking for a ride from point A to point B, we usually recover those.”

Itson was booked into the Gaston County Jail on Thursday night and held without bond. Duncan said he faces a larceny of a motor vehicle charge and other outstanding warrants.

Wade Allen can be reached at 704-869-1828; twitter.com/gazettewade.

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